EcoClean takes on heavy duty disaster clean-up |19 January 2005

From grass cutting to rock blasting, felling of tall and dangerous dead trees to trimming of hedges, EcoClean – set up some six months ago – has over the past weeks been moving up and down from North to South, sweeping across flooded plains and landslide areas in what its director, Allen Chang-Thiou, described as a major restoration exercise.

Besides blasting boulders brought down on the roads by landslides and felling hazardous trees hanging over houses, EcoClean workers had over the past week been removing debris from houses affected by landslides and flooding.

The company takes both public and private contracts and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We work swiftly and efficiently and our method of doing things is hundred percent eco-friendly," Mr Chang-Thiou told Business Nation.

The company employs 10 men, some with between 10 to 18 years' experience in heavy duty work and is well-equipped with a variety of tools used for landscaping, clearing and cleaning of land and road, rock blasting and wedging, building of retaining walls and building maintenance, which are just some of the services being offered by the company.

"We employ the best of the best. We have all the necessary safety gears to protect our men, especially on very risky jobs, such as climbing dead trees or working on very steep slopes or crevices," Mr Chang-Thiou said.

Among the safety gears used are boots, goggles, helmets, ropes and safety belts.
He added that given the types of jobs they do, EcoClean is very concerned with the safety of its men and it is for that reason that it is providing insurance cover for all of them.

"Men work best when they are being given incentives. As a result of their efficiency we can cover up to three areas in a day," he said.
 
The company has invested in a wide range of high-powered Husqvarna machinery from South Africa such as chainsaw, brushcutter, pionjar, blower, trimmers, ladder, turfor for bringing down big trees and snaker to clean drains and pipes, among others.

Mr Chang-Thiou said they are able to maintain consistency in their work due to their longterm stock of spare parts.

"We've got the right equipment and right men and our clients' response has been very positive and they do appreciate the way we take care of the environment," he added.

Mr Chang-Thiou normally uses a whistle, which is an effective communication tool to alert workers, especially when they are spread out in a fairly large area.

EcoClean is also in the process of providing uniform for its workers.